Baptized Into It

I am just a mom. Sometimes I am great at it and sometimes, not so much. I am just like most of you who have happened upon my blog. When I originally started this blog I had hoped that somehow, someway this blog would reach the right individuals and possibly compel them to turn in a wanted felon, Eddie Rojas. That from there the domino effect would hopefully be that some other victims of childhood sexual abuse would receive the help they need. I also hoped that others that played key roles in our story would face some legal consequences for their criminal actions.

As my story has unfolded globally due to the lawsuit and the media attention many individuals have felt comfortable sharing with me their personal stories of sexual abuse. My heart breaks a little each time that I hear of another person or family that has lived with the consequences of sexual abuse while simultaneously I am strengthened to continue to be the one that is vulnerable in the public arena.

I think this case will set a precedent. Should I be able to tell "Our Story" even if it exposes someone else's criminal actions? When the system isn't set up to protect the innocent, should "we the people" be able to warn the community when there is documented proof of potential danger? Should someone who is a known serial pedophile be able to fly under the radar? When there is a community of people that are harboring a wanted criminal shouldn't I be able to expose them as well? This case hopefully has you thinking.

A dear friend said to me recently, "You didn't choose this, you were baptized into it." She's right, our family didn't sign up to be the ones that would test Patrick's "deliverance from pedophilia." (Which he failed miserably.) Just like I don't want to choose for you. I want you to have the facts, know his mode of operation, the mindset of his supporters, then you have a choice. An educated choice.

Burden Lifted

A huge financial burden has been lifted. This past week another attorney, Darrell Cochran, has decided to team up with our current lawyer, Talis Abolins, they are offering their services pro-bono. Our family has an existing balance that we need to pay off and will be responsible for expenses related to the case but the main burden has been lifted. Due to this latest development, I deleted my donate button. I am just trusting if someone would like to help in a practical financial way they still will.

You may be able to imagine what a relief this is for our family. As I have stated in other posts, I have always believed this is bigger than just what happened to our family. When the initial crime was discovered there were a few individuals that would specifically pray that "Everything be brought to the light." or "That nothing be left hidden in the darkness." that "No stone be left unturned." Little did I know, at the time, what living out the reality of those prayers would look like for our family. But I am still willing...and I am so grateful that we have lawyers that are willing to fight for us and for the protection of children!

*As of June 2012 we still have an outstanding legal balance with our attorney that we are slowly paying off. Our attorney is working on the appeal process pro-bono. His fees are waved but we still have costs that have to do with our case such as filing fees, copies, couriers, etc. It really adds up.